I miss everything about my daughter – Cynthia’s father, Gen Osokogu

April 13, 2013 : Jude Owuamanam, Jos

Gen. Frank Osokogu, (retd.)

Almost one year after Miss Cynthia Osokogu, was killed by friends she met on a social network, Facebook, her family still remembers everything about the care and love they once cherished. Her father, Gen. Frank Osokogu, (retd.) as a soldier is not one given to emotions, but he could not but speak fondly of his only beloved daughter who was snatched away from him in the most brutal manner. When our correspondent called at the home of the Osokogus penultimate Monday, in Jos, Plateau State, Cynthia’s parents were not at home our correspondent was at a loss how to speak to Osokogu on phone and what his reaction would be, knowing that it could amount to reopening old wounds. He picked the phone on the first dial and having known who the caller was, said, “Oh yeah, I remember you. You spoke to me when the incident happened.” One would have thought that he would cut the conversation at that stage, but when asked how he felt the prosecution against the suspect was going.

He was frank as his name suggests. “Well I am not a lawyer, but I feel that the case is going on fine even though there was a little hiccup at the beginning. Initially it was being prosecuted at the Magistrates’ Court and there was a little delay, especially in putting up the papers, gathering all the evidence, but when case was taken to the high court, there was a change. “However, when the case was first mentioned at the high court, the judges had a conference shortly after. And there was a slight delay. All I will say is that it is at the disposition of the court. That is not my responsibility. We have done the best we can. “The other ones are judicial process which you cannot force. Most judges adjourn for sometimes more than one month. Don’t forget that murder cases sometimes take a long time to resolve. Even civil matters sometimes take up to three four years to resolve. When you talk of representation, I think the case is being taken at the highest level. Now it’s being handled by the Attorney General of Lagos state. “My family has two lawyers and the police also have their own lawyers. I am sure that now that it has gone to the appropriate court, the trial is going to be faster. I don’t know, I am not a lawyer, I will ask my lawyers again. May be when they see your publication, they may equally react to it.”

However getting the retired general to talk about his daughter was not easy. When asked what he missed most about his daughter, especially given the circumstances under which he died, he said, “Well these are sentimental questions and I don’t usually discuss sentiments. But definitely she was my daughter, and so I miss everything, everything about my daughter, especially the circumstances the whole thing happened. But we have had problems, especially in winding up the business she was running before she died. But that is okay and that’s all I want to say for now.”

If the retired general was a bit keen to talk about his late daughter, his wife was clearly reticent. When our reporter called her up for an interview, she blurted, “Please if it is about Cynthia, I don’t want to say anything. I have said enough and I don’t want to say anything about her please. Thank you.”

Cynthia was murdered on July 22, 2012 by friends who allegedly lured her to Lagos from Nasarawa State where she was undergoing a Masters degree programme and killed her at Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, FESTAC Town, Lagos Hotel.

Four men, Okwumo Nwabufo, 33; Olisaeloka Ezike, 23, Orji Osita, 33; and Nonso Ezike, are standing trial over the incident. Nwabufo and Ezike are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder of Cynthia.

Osita, who is the pharmacist, is charged with selling Rohypnol Flunitrazepan tablets to drug the deceased while Nonso, who is Olisaeloka’s brother, is charged with being in possession Cynthia’s Blackberry Bold 5 cell-phone.

who know how many innocent life you have wasted while in uniform ? every thing that happen in life always have reasons but if your humble and gentle solder who never intimidate and rape or kill innocent once, may GOD have reason to restore you as HE did to JOB after such calamity fall on him.

but not as low as your mother who hawk her holes at red light just to born you that is reason u have no identity

Tony Aneni

If your daughter was lured from the north to FESTAC in Lagos with all the wealth at her disposal (the money you her father stole from years of military misrule) then she has died of her inordinate passion for wealth. Well deserved and a lesson for all gold diggers in skirt. By your action or inaction you have killed many Nigerian during the period of miliatary misrule in Nigeria and same will come to you all. This is equally a lesson for all you political office holders.

sholly14

May u or ur family members neva suffer from d same tragic circumstances, that befell this poor lady. Your comments are insensitive and inmature.

sam peters

True words

Aisha

Tony Aneni, I know that your name is as fake as you are. You don’t even know Gen Frank Osokogu and how disciplined a military officer he was. He is one of the finest detribalized officers you can think of. God will surely fight for this family. RIP Cynthia

Ayor

Thank you Aisha. Some people can be so insensitive. Shame on them.

sam peters

What’s wrong with you?

Ayor

Dan
Please leave Aneni alone. People with that name always have a question mark always trialling them!

chills

Its unfortunate how people react and comment on issues in our country. The system is making people lose there concience

Felix Air Okhide

It is a pity peter,tony & chills missed the point. The fact in issue is that the murderers did the wronge thing. Soldering is a profes ion approved by God & govt.Take heart Gen Frank, i suspect tony,Peter & chills are co criminals of the murderers of cythia.

but not as stupid as your mother, who hawk her holes at red light just to born you that is reason u have no identity

http://twitter.com/hannahabbi2 Alexander

Why is this murder case given sooo…much coverage by the media in Nigeria where so many innocent people lose their lives every day ?it is because she is a general daughter ?can somone in Nigerian media shead more lights on the four students killed brutally in Alu vilage,or it is because those four parents are not the haven and earth gangs in Nigeria?God have mercy.

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It was rather unfortunate that the young lady´s life was cut short by these heartless fellows all in the name of making money.I´m glad that they´ll face justice.Continue to rest in peace Cynthia!Punch,can you please update us on the case of the UNIPORT 4,that were grusomely murdered by the blood sucking Umoukiri community?

femzy

Really so touching!!! I really feel for you, take heart, it is well!!!

Lolu

It is unfortunate that Cynthia died. But many people’s children had been killed in this country and nobody cared. We should remember them too as all lives are very important to God. But the General was once close to government in this unfortunate country, I will be happy to know how he advanced the security of Nigeria, and the lives of Nigerians then. Most of the so called big men, while in government stay aloof and abandon the masses. They have access to tight security and other good things of life. They always forget that power is very transient and that what goes around must surely come around one day. Many of the pepersoup generals, and their ilk in other security forces, are now running from pillar to pole because the masses are angry, and the payback time has come. I just pity them because they have no hiding place they can run to again. Many of them are now as naked as the so called ordinary Nigerians. That is why I pity Mr Jonathan and his ‘Umbrerra’ in their ‘Jonathaness’ (I mean cluelessness). They may pay heavy prices for raping and
dehumanising Nigerians now. I only hope they’ll put the people first, before it’s too late. A word should be enough for the wise. But are they wise?

Spokesperson for the Senate Unity Forum, Senator Kabir Marafa, saying his colleagues passed a vote of confidence in Dr. Bukola Saraki’s senate leadership in order to spite President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress leadership.